Exam 9: Problem Solving, Decision Making, and Creativity

Sam works 50 to 60 hours a week supervising a group of engineers.He realizes that he is spending too much time training new engineers and starts thinking about new options.He could delegate the training to the senior engineers,ask the human resources department to offer training seminars,or require better work experience from all future employees.Which step in the rational model of decision making is Sam performing here?

Simon,a trainer,meets with his team to discuss the possibility of senior engineers training the new engineers.He also meets with the human resources director to see if she can offer training seminars,and to examine the effect of increased work experience on training requirements.At which step of the rational model of decision making is Simon at?

Which of the following is a guideline for proper decision making in the workplace?

A supervisor should always avoid human compromises in making decisions.

Which of the following is typical of a decisive supervisor?

When the consequences of a decision are major,which of the following should the supervisor follow?

What is a decision tree and a decision-making software? Explain how they are used in making decisions.

In general,supervisors cannot benefit from using the rational model of decision making when they are making complex,formal decisions.

Creative thinking requires time for quiet and rest.

Decision-making software does not ask the user about his or her values and priorities.

To combat problems related to rationalization,decision makers must find out what other people are thinking and then consider those views.

Probability theory,decision trees,and computer software are tools for analyzing alternatives for decision making.

Discuss the importance of personal practices in developing the supervisor's creativity.

When a supervisor makes a wrong decision,the supervisor will look best if he/she acknowledges the mistake.

When ideas fail,the supervisor should acknowledge that failure is a sign that people are not trying hard enough.

Employees who tend to be quiet and shy may have great ideas that a supervisor will never hear unless he/she takes the time to encourage them.

Much of a supervisor's job consists of making decisions that cover all the functions of management.

Select any two of the seven different human compromises that can affect decision making,and define them.Describe what can be done to overcome them.

One way to overcome barriers to creativity is to:

A graph that helps decision makers use probability theory by showing the expected values of decisions in varying circumstances is known as a(n):